Nicolas Hamilton, brother of 2008 FIA Formula 1 World
Champion Lewis, returns to the scene of his race debut as he takes
part in the AirAsia Renault Clio Cup at the legendary Brands Hatch
Grand Prix circuit on 1/2 October.

MotorSport Vision caught up with the popular rookie to
find out how his maiden season in motor racing has developed ahead
of his visit to the famous 2.3 mile Kent
circuit.

You're nearly at the end of your first season of motor
racing - how have you found it?

Nicolas Hamilton: "It's been a big
experience for me. I think that the season has been full of ups and
downs, misfortunes and fortunate times also. I'm just trying to
learn as much as I can but obviously I'm up against a lot of quick
and experienced drivers that have been driving since they were
eight years old. I only started racing this year so it's
been six or seven months with no testing beforehand. It's
been difficult because time has been up against me and even though
we get two 45 minute sessions, it's not really enough for me
because I haven't got the experience to go round and gain some
time. We're getting there however and hopefully in the future it
will be better."

What's been the biggest challenge of the
year?

NH: "The biggest challenge for me this
year was getting back into the car after my crash at Thruxton. It
was a different car, it handled a little bit differently and going
through the corner that I crashed on pushing hard, has to be the
hardest part, but I came through it. I wish that the crash
hadn't happened in the first place but it's a good thing that it
did because I now know that I can learn from it and go
forward from there."

Your season started at Brands Hatch - what are your
memories of that weekend?

NH: "My memories of the weekend would be
the amount of attention that we had, the awning was completely
full, it was a big thing for Lewis and my dad to be there watching
me and my racing for once. It was completely different to
what I'm used to. I think that another memory would be my first
start, going into Paddock Hill with everybody around watching. In
my second race into Druids I went up the inside of like four
drivers and got through so that was a brilliant
feeling."

Last time it was the Indy circuit, this time it's the
full GP - should this mean a different approach?

NH: "To be honest I have never driven on
the GP circuit, I'm not really sure on where it goes as I think
that Dingle Dell has changed now. I'm looking forward to racing on
it as it is such a legendary track and everybody wants to race
there, Brands Hatch is an awesome circuit to race on. I'm just
going to take the race weekend one step at a time and see where we
end up from there."

How competitive have you found the AirAsia Clio
Cup?

NH: "It has been crazily competitive. At
Rockingham we were adrift of the top eight by just two tenths,
it's just so close. It just shows that you really need to have the
time and money to put into testing and gaining track time, if
you're going to challenge. You can't just jump into a Clio Cup car
and expect to be at the top. I'm glad that I came to the AirAsia
Renault Clio Cup and I wouldn't want to be in any other
championship to start my career."

Which particular moments over the course of the season
stick in your mind?

NH: "I would have to say at Donington
Park when we were at our second race meeting ever. At Brands Hatch
we were right at the back but when we got to Donington we actually
raced with the other drivers so that was a great feeling.
Everything was good about that weekend so it has to be my most
memorable. Oulton Park and Snetterton don't fall to far behind
either as they were very good for me also. I've had a good number
of weekends that I have enjoyed. I think that now we are trying to
get away from the enjoyment side of it and knuckle down to try and
find some pace."

By the end of the year, what do you want to have
achieved?

NH: "By the end of the year I would like
to be closer to pole position, at Rockingham I was 1.2 seconds off
but I went off as the track started to get quicker which was
unfortunate. At the time I was on the track, I was only eight
tenths off so I think that at the end of the season I would like to
be within a second which I think is a very good shout.
This leaves us with a very good base to work from for pre
season testing and onto the racing next year."

Hamilton will take part in qualifying at
11.15 on Saturday followed by the first of his two
races at the weekend beginning at
16.25.

Tickets for the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car
Championship, featuring Nicolas Hamilton in the Air Asia Renault
Clio Cup at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit (1-2 October)
are available in advance from £25 until Thursday at midday, with
free entry for children 12 and under. For more
information, call 0843 453 9000 or click
here.